So what is a Cephas Hour?
Starting in May 2012, Cephas Hour was an hour-long prerecorded show heard once a week (later twice a week) on Internet station BlackLight Radio. In it, veteran Christian music journalist and author Jerry Wilson – yes, that’s me – played the finest in Christian rock and pop from the 1980s with an occasional nod toward the 1970s and the 1990s as well.
In September of 2013, a second hour-long show titled Cephas Hour of Praise was added, it being a music-only program of worship, praise, and contemplation songs generally more mellow than the alternative rock preferred for its elder brother. The original show was renamed Cephas Hour on BlackLight Radio.
June of 2020 saw a change in format and name. Cephas Hour on BlackLight Radio was renamed Cephas Hour of Purpose, retaining the same music format, while Cephas Hour of Praise became Cephas Hour of Peace, undergoing a complete makeover as it now featured commentary on spiritual, social, and political issues by yours truly. During this time period, the playlists grew more diverse, drawing from artists both new and old. This did not sit well with the powers that be, and in January of 2021 after being informed the shows were no longer welcome on BlackLight Radio the show adopted yet another transformation, the name being shortened to Cephas Hour with a format combining the Peace and Praise formats as it went to a podcast-only availability.
If you grew up on Phil Keaggy, The 77s, Undercover, Crumbächer, Daniel Amos, Altar Boys, and many other wonderful artists and bands that were the soundtrack to our lives, you have reason to rejoice. I bring you all these and more every week, including both the latest from veteran Christian artists and top quality releases from newer artists such as Shelly Moore and Rachel Wilhelm. This isn’t a nostalgia trip.
If your faith has been battered and bruised over the years, we pray you let the music speak to you about how, even though seasons have passed and times have changed, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Come home and let Him love you.
Raise your hands. It’s time to fly.